Prematurity

The syndrome is widely seen among new born babies as they are often unable to turn their head in one direction due to neck pain. This causes the baby to prefer to be positioned on the same side of the skull. Constant pressure causes a flattening of the soft tissues on one spot compared to the rest of the babies skull.

Intrauterine Environment

Plagiocephaly is also found at birth and is the result of a restrictive intrauterine environment; this effect is particularly prevalent in premature babies.

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (Wryneck)

One or more of the neck muscles develops a tightness, causing the head to tilt and/or turn. This can result in plagiocephaly as the tightness causes the head to be held in a single position.

Infant Seat

It has been noticed that extensive use of car seats, infant swings and bouncy seats also contribute to Plagiocephaly. In these devices, the back of the head is placed against a rigid, unyielding surface. The resulting deformity can be severe, even causing “cornering” or “squaring” of the head. While normal use is not a concern, extended use, especially allowing infants to sleep in them, increases the risk of Plagiocephaly.

Back-Sleeping Pressure

Since the ‘back to sleep’ campaign Doctors have recommended that all babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or ‘cot death’). Plagiocephaly has increased dramatically as the back sleeping position produces constant pressure on the rear of the skull. Plagiocephaly is directly related to baby’s sleeping behaviour.

Prematurity

Prematurity

The syndrome is widely seen among new born babies as they are often unable to turn their head in one direction due to neck pain. This causes the baby to prefer to be positioned on the same side of the skull. Constant pressure causes a flattening of the soft tissues on one spot compared to the rest of the babies skull.

Intrauterine Environment

Intrauterine Environment

Plagiocephaly is also found at birth and is the result of a restrictive intrauterine environment; this effect is particularly prevalent in premature babies.

Congenital Muscle Torticollis

Congenital Muscular Torticollis (Wryneck)

One or more of the neck muscles develops a tightness, causing the head to tilt and/or turn. This can result in plagiocephaly as the tightness causes the head to be held in a single position.

Infant Seat

Infant Seat

It has been noticed that extensive use of car seats, infant swings and bouncy seats also contribute to Plagiocephaly. In these devices, the back of the head is placed against a rigid, unyielding surface. The resulting deformity can be severe, even causing “cornering” or “squaring” of the head. While normal use is not a concern, extended use, especially allowing infants to sleep in them, increases the risk of Plagiocephaly.

Back-Sleeping Pressure

Back-Sleeping Pressure

Since the ‘back to sleep’ campaign Doctors have recommended that all babies sleep on their backs to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS or ‘cot death’). Plagiocephaly has increased dramatically as the back sleeping position produces constant pressure on the rear of the skull. Plagiocephaly is directly related to baby’s sleeping behaviour.

Types of Flat Head Syndrome

Plagiocephaly is the most common form of this syndrome among young babies.

There are different types of flat head syndrome as shown in the pictures here: